Fun Independence Day activities

What to do during the holiday.

By MEITAL SHARABI
A view of Galed Pool, a surprisingly quiet and isolated reservoir. (photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)
A view of Galed Pool, a surprisingly quiet and isolated reservoir.
(photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)
Many Israelis celebrate Independence Day by having a picnic or taking a hike with friends and family out in nature. This year, instead of just stuffing your bellies and resting in the shade of the trees, take some time to get to know our beautiful country better by walking along one of its many exciting trails. In honor of Israel’s 67th birthday, here are a few of my favorite places to wade in water, picnic and of course learn a little bit about our rich history.
Wading at Ein Alon
Near Beit Oren in the Carmel, there are many wonderful places to hike, including both short and long trails. There is such a great variety of paths to take, it almost seems like wherever you stop your car you’ll find a great path that will lead you to a mysterious location hidden behind the shrubbery.
On hot days, when you don’t really feel like going on a long hike, but you have an intense desire to get out into nature, I recommend walking on a marked path so you know exactly when you’ll be back at your car. The Agam picnic area is one of the most popular places for family gatherings, since Ein Alon has a beautiful wading pool that is only a short walk from the parking area. Ein Alon is actually the combination of a few springs that are channeled through pipes into the wading pool. The pool is an easy 30-minute walk from the parking area along the trail with the red and then the green trail markers.
This is a great walk for a hot day, because there are lots of trees that provide a fantastic natural sun cover.
The trail can be reached from Route 721.
Hidden from sight
It’s often hard to find a quiet, empty spot to have a picnic on Israeli holidays where you’re not bothered by other people’s music or smoke. And when you finally do find such a gem, you certainly aren’t about to blab about it to all your friends because you want to have that spot all to yourself next time, too. But I’m happy to share with you the details of one such place called Galed Pool, a pastoral oasis located between kibbutzim Daliya and Galed. The large pool, which fills up from the winter rains and stays full all spring long – sometimes even through July – is surrounded by beautiful flowers and bushes, and you only realize it’s there once you are standing right in front of it. There is plenty of room next to the pool to sit and have a relaxing picnic, and since the pool is hidden from sight, frequently there aren’t many other people around.
Directions: Just before you reach Kibbutz Galed, you’ll notice a dirt path on your right. Turn onto this path and drive for about 400 meters and then make another right turn onto a second dirt path that leads to a wastewater reservoir. Pass through the iron gate, walk past the “fragrant” wastewater pool and continue until you reach the second pool.
Immigrants from the early years of the state
We can’t enjoy the present or plan for the future without remembering what happened in our past. The early settlers in Israel experienced many trials and tribulations on their way to the Promised Land, and if you’re interested in hearing legendary stories about their bravery, you can visit the Atlit “Illegal” Immigrant Detention Camp, where Jews who were caught by the British trying to illegally enter Palestine before Israel became a state in 1948 were detained.
The detention camp has been out- fit ted to resemble exactly how it looked back in the 1940s, including the guard towers, barbed wire and barracks where the detainees slept. There’s a film that depicts how the Palmah broke into the camp on October 10, 1945, and succeeded in releasing 200 prisoners. There’s also an experiential tour that helps visitors imagine how the illegal immigrants sailed on old, overcrowded boats in their quest to reach the shores of Israel.
To book a tour, call (04) 984-1980.
Stories of heroism and sacrifice
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority will be holding guided tours at Nebi Samwil in which they will tell the heroic story of how Harel Brigade soldiers set out for their final battle in April 1948. The brigade proceeded with the goal of capturing Nebi Samwil, which is on the side of the hill. The soldiers left after dark and hid under the cover of thick fog, but were discovered when the fog lifted in the morning. They fought bravely against the Arabs who attacked them, but unfortunately none of them survived. The tour also leads visitors down into the tomb of the Prophet Samuel.
Directions: Drive along Route 443 towards Jerusalem. Turn south at Givat Ze’ev junction and follow signs on the left for the tomb of the Prophet Samuel.
Three tours, which are free of charge, will take place on Thursday, April 23.
For details: *3639
Yehiam Fortress
Located on Yehiam, a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee, the Yehiam Fortress has a rich history involving battles and heroes from the early days of the State of Israel. Built in the mid-18th century by Beduin sheikh Daher el-Omar, Yehiam Fortress is now part of a national park and is surrounded by lots of greenery and pleasant open spaces. The fortress was conquered and rebuilt many times over the years, including by the Mameluke Sultan Baibars, and Jews hid there during the War of Independence.
Nowadays, you can walk through the fortress and learn about the amazing battles and skirmishes that took place there. You can climb up to the top of the fortress where you’ll have an incredible view of the Galilee. There are many quiet and shaded spots around the fortress where you can relax or have a picnic.
Ben-Gurion House
Many people love visiting the Ben-Gurion House in Sde Boker on Independence Day, since this day is a great opportunity to see how our leaders from the early days of the state lived. But if getting all the way to the Sde Boker in the Negev is not an option for you, an excellent alternative is visiting the Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The house is situated in the center of the city in the building where prime minister David Ben-Gurion lived with his family. The house has been preserved exactly as it was originally. Currently there is an exhibition there that highlights the former prime minister’s humorous side. There will be guided tours on the hour and arts and crafts activities for children. In the courtyard, there will be Jewish music and folk dancing.
Location: 17 Ben-Gurion Boulevard.
Entrance is free of charge.
Open between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Translated by Hannah Hochner.